Garbage can lid lock

ABSTRACT

A garbage or trash can lid lock is disclosed wherein a pair of diametrically opposed hold-down springs each have upper ends which are attached to a conventional handle-equipped lid. The hold-down springs extend in opposite directions over the rim of the trash can lid and are releasably attached to the handle on the side of the trash can so that the lid is held tightly to the trash can even if the can is tipped over.

O United States Patent [151 3,674,298

Vekony 1% July 4, 1972 [54] GARBAGE CAN LID LOCK 2,636,639 4/1953 Frey ..220/55.7 [72] Inventor: Balazs Vekony, Rte. 3, Box 4064 Signal 2817552 12/1957 Broel- 2,984,511 5/1961 Hednck PM Rlcheyy 33568 3,363,924 l/1968 Remig ..292/258 [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1970 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe [21] App1.No.: 85,467 Attorney-Steffan M. Stein 52 us. Cl ..292/258 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ...B65d 45/30 A garbage or trash can lid lock is disclosed wherein a pair of {58] Field of Search ..292/258, 259, 288; 220/1 T, diametrically pp h ldw prings each have upper 220/385, 55,7 ends which are attached to a conventional handle-equipped lid. The hold-down springs extend in opposite directions over [56] References Cited the rim of the trash can lid and are releasably attached to the handle on the side of the trash can so that the lid is held tightly UNITED STATES PATENTS to the trash can even if the can is tipped over.

2,687,318 8/1954 Cooper ..292/114 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FIXTE'IJTEDJUL 4 I972 3,674,298

I INVENTOR. BALAZS VEKONY BY WW ATTORNEY.

GARBAGE CAN un LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a receptacle lid or cover lock and more particularly to a locking device for garbage cans, trash cans and other types of cans with an openable lid.

Description of the Prior Art I Several receptacle lid locks are disclosed by the prior art patents such as:

U. S. Patent No. 1,051,014

U. S. Patent No. 2,974,990

U. S. Patent No. 2,984,5 ll

U. S. PatentNo. 3,158,393

U. S. Patent No. 3,174,787

U. S. Patent No. 3,291,515

U. S. Patent No. 3,503,535

One such prior art receptacle lid locking device is disclosed by U. S. Pat. No. 2,984,511 in which the locking device comprises a handle together with two resilient, flexible and extensible arms each of which is identical in construction. The handle is made of a U-shaped member having two end portions together with a bite portion or cross member which is joined at the outer end of the two end portions. A hand gripper is mounted for rotation on the bite portion and is in the form of a cylinder through which the bite portion extends. A linking and connecting member which is parallel to the bite portion is joined to the lower end of the end portion. Each of the two extensible arms are made of a coil spring which has a smaller coil spring telescopically fitted within and frictionally held within each of the larger diametered, extensible arms. The upper end of each extensible arm is connected to the hand grip while the distal ends are hooked to fasteners on the side of the receptacle.

In another prior art device disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,503,535, in which a conventional, trash or garbage can with a handle equipped bonnet type lid and pivoted diametrically carrying handles is altered to the extent that the annular depending skirtlike rim on the lid is provided with diametrically opposite keeper holes. These holes serve to accomodate attaching and retaining hooks on coacting upper ends of a pair of suitably proportioned and tensioned coil springs. These springs normally overlay the handles and have their lower hooked ends secured to properly anchored aligned L-shaped retaining brackets. These brackets are fastened to diametrically opposite wall portions of the can body. In addition, the use of a pair of similar brackets are secured to diametrically opposite wall portions of the can and have outstanding grooved portions which are located and spaced in the over hanging bead at the top of the can that the lid, when opened can be clampingly stored on the side of the can.

Yet another prior art receptacle cover latch is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,291,515 in which a conventional trash can receptacle having a pair or side handles and a conventional trash can cover having an inverted U-shaped handleare provided with a can lid retainer which comprises a pair of springs which are elongated and provided with a securing means attached between the two springs. The securing means comprises a wire having a loop between its ends and extending around the trash can cover lid handle on one of the side portions. The two springs are fixedly attached to the ends of the wire which are looped around the cover lid. Additionally, the other end of the two springs are provided with hooks which hook onto the two diametrically opposed trash can receptacle handles on the side wall of the trash can.

Yet another prior art device is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 2,974,990 in which a pair of U-shaped latches are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the trash can cover. Each of the latches have spaced, divergent inner and outer elongated leaves which are united at their lower ends by a radius bend and defined by a cleft therebetween. The cover is telescopically engaged over the upper edge portion of a standard trash can such that the outer leaf engages the upper peripheral edge where the trash can top and the depending flange meet, while the inner leaf is disposed under the upper rim of the can. Thus, any attempt to removethe cover from the can is precluded by the inner leaf striking the rolled edge of the can. Additionally, latch tensioning means are provided to bias the latches into the trash can cover locking position. These tensioning means are connected to the two leaves referred to above and extend across the top of the trash can cover. In operation, manual pressure applied to the outer leaf, radially of the cover, will pivot the latch from the closed to the open position by rolling it over the fulcrum effected by the contact of the inner leaf with the depending flange of the receptacle cover. Thus, allowing the inner leaf to pivot out of contact with the rolled, upper rim of the can, thus allowing the lid to be removed.

In spite of the many designs disclosed by the prior art, none of them teach a simple, easily detachable, trash can lid lock such as that described in more detail below.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a locking device by which to convert ordinary trash cans, garbage cans and the like, into safety cans for waste or storage containers making it quite difficult to remove the lid unless the lock is released.

Another object of this invention is to provide a garbage can lid lock which will prevent dogs, cats and other animals from removing the lid even if the receptacle has been tipped over.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a garbage can lid lock which securely maintains the garbage can lid on the garbage can receptacle until the receptacle cover lock is unhooked by the operator.

A still further object is to provide a trash can lid lock which can be merchandised when it is not connected to a receptacle cover and yet can be easily attached to the receptacle cover handle by the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a trash receptacle lid lock which keeps the trash can lid locked to the trash can and prevents flies and insects from entering the trash receptacle, traps and prevents foul odors from escaping the trash receptacle and, permits one to carry the can while the lid stays in its closed position.

Another object of this invention is "to provide a trash can cover lid lock which is of comparatively simple construction, which, however is strong, durable and which can be manufac tured at a low cost.

Another object of this invention is to provide a garbage can lid lock which may be attached without. the use of special tools or equipment and which may be readily installed for use on the covers of existing cans and, if desired, removed therefrom and transferred to the covers of new cans.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part hereinafter in the summary of the invention and in the detailed discussion of the preferred embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects are efiiciently obtained by providing a trash can receptacle lid cover lock which comprises two elongated springs of identical construction. At one end of the springs are attached a receptacle cover handle clamp which is affixed to the side walls of the inverted, U-shaped receptacle cover handle. One of the elongated springs is clamped to a first side wall while the second elongated spring is clamped to the second side wall. Each of the elongated springs extends in diametrically opposite direction over the peripheral edge of the receptacle cover and the springs are stretched until the distal end of each springis proximate to the garbage can handles located on the sides of the garbage can. Attached to the distal end of the two springs is a quick release latch which is adapted to engage the garbage can handles thereby retaining the garbage can cover on the garbage can.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top planar view of the receptacle lid lock as it is attached to a standard receptacle and receptacle cover.

FIG. 2 is a frontal, planar view of the receptacle cover lid lock of the present invention illustrating the quick release latch feature.

FIG. 3 is a front view of one-half of the garbage can lid lock of the present invention in its unattached condition.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the receptacle lid lock of this invention is generally indicated by the numeral and as illustrated in FIG. 2 it is attached to a receptacle 12 having a pair of size handles 14 and 16. Receptacle 12 has a cover 18 which is provided with a centrally located handle 20 of conventional shape.

Handle 20 has two side portions 22 and 24 and an upper portion 26. Side portions 22 and 24 are securely fixed to the upper side of receptacle cover 18 and the entire handle 20 is generally of an inverted U-shaped configuration. Receptacle lid lock 10 comprises two parts, each of which has an elongated spring 28 which is provided at its upper end with an eye portion 30. Eye portion 30 is connected by suitable pivoting means such as cotter pin 32 to a receptacle cover handle clamp 34. Handle clamp 34 is here shown to be a generally fiat metal band 36 bent to a U-shaped configuration. The bight of metal band 36 is apertured at 38 and is adapted to receive cotter pin 32. The distal end of the bight of band 36 has a plurality of apertures 40 which are adapted to receive removable securing means such as nut 42 and bolt 44. Apertures 40 extend through both sides of U-shaped band 36 such that bolt 44 may pass through receptacle cover handle clamp 34 as illustrated in FIG. I. In the alternative a cotter pin 43 such as that shown in FIG. 3 may be inserted through apertures 40.

The lower portion of receptacle lid lock 10 has a second eye portion 46 pivotally attached by suitable means such as cotter pin 48 to quick release latch 50.

Quick release latch 50 has an aperture 54 located in the finger-grasping portion 52 of quick release latch 50. Aperture 54 is adapted to receive cotter pin 48 in order to secure spring 28 to release latch 50. The lower portion of quick release latch 50 is bent downwardly and upwardly in a generally U-shaped handle catch 56 which is adapted to be placed under receptacle handles 14 and 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2. e

In operation, receptacle cover handle clamp 34 of a first receptacle lid lock 10 is placed around side portion 22 of cover handle 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Depending upon the width of the side portion, the appropriate apertures 40 are aligned and nut 42 and bolt 44 are screwed together so as to fix handle clamp 34 to handle 20. Grasping portion 52 is now pulled outwardly away from handle 20 and handle catch 56 inserted under receptacle handle 16. The tension within spring 28 thereby causes cover 18 to be held tightly onto receptacle 12. The same procedure then takes place with a second receptacle lid lock 10 which is placed on the opposite handle side portion 22 and is similarly locked onto handle 14 by handle catch 56. In order to release receptacle lid lock 10 the user merely grasps grasping portion 52 and exerts a slight downward and outward pressure thus causing handle catch 56 to be moved free from receptacle handles 14 and 16. The receptacle cover 18 may then be removed in the normal manner.

When it is desired to place the receptacle lid lock on another container the nuts and bolts merely are unscrewed and the receptacle cover handle clamp is then removed.

It will be thus seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently obtained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. A

Now that the invention has been described:

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a garbage can having an open upper end, a lid normally covering said upper end, said lid having a fixed, centralized hand grip and a complimentary margined, depending rim portion removably encompassing said upper open end, at least one side handle mounted on the side of said can, said side handle being spaced downwardly from the plane of said upper end, at least one tension coil spring having the upper end pivotally attached to a receptacle cover handle clamp, said cover handle clamp comprises a generally U-shaped member, the bight of said member being apertured and arranged to receive pivotal attaching means fixedly attached to said upper end of said tension coil spring, the arms of said U- shaped member are in a proximate, substantially parallel relationship, each of said arms have at least one aperture, said apertures being registered and adapted to receive removable securing means such that said clamping means may be removably secured to a portion of said centralized hand grip, the lower end of said tension coil is pivotally attached to a quick release latch, said quick release latch being removably attached to said side handle of said can whereby when said cover handle clamp is attached to said centralized hand grip and said quick release latch is attached to said side handle, said tension coil spring is extended over said rim portion of said cover in a tensioned state thereby securely locking said lid to said open end of said garbage can.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said garbage can has first and second side handles individually mounted on opposite sides of said can, said handles being spaced downwardly from the plane of said open end, a second tension coil spring is pivotally attached to a second cover handle clamp, the lower end of said second tension coil is pivotally attached to a second quick release latch, said cover handle clamp being removably attached to a second upstanding portion of said centralized hand grip, said second quick release latch being removably attached to said second side handle whereby when said first and second cover handle clamps are attached respectively to said first and second upstanding portions at said centralized hand grip and said first and second quick release latch are attached respectively to said first and second side handles, said tension coil springs are extended over opposite sides of said rim portion of said cover in a tensioned state thereby securely locking said lid to said open end of said garbage can.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said quick release latch comprises an apertured finger grasping portion, said aperture arranged to receive pivotal attaching means fixedly attached to said lower end of said tension coil spring, the lower end of said quick release latch extends downwardly and upwardly in a generally U-shaped manner so as to hook under and latch onto said side handle.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said removable securing means comprise a threaded bolt and nut.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said pivotal attaching means is a cotter pin.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said removable securing means comprise a cotter pin. 

1. In combination, a garbage can having an open upper end, a lid normally covering said upper end, said lid having a fixed, centralized hand grip and a complimentary margined, depending rim portion removably encompassing said upper open end, at least one side handle mounted on the side of said can, said side handle being spaced downwardly from the plane of said upper end, at least one tension coil spring having the upper end pivotally attached to a receptacle cover handle clamp, said cover handle clamp comprises a generally U-shaped member, the bight of said member being apertured and arranged to receive pivotal attaching means fixedly attached to said upper end of said tension coil spring, the arms of said U-shaped member are in a proximate, substantially parallel relationship, each of said arms have at least one aperture, said apertures being registered and adapted to receive removable securing means such that said clamping means may be removably secured to a portion of said centralized hand grip, the lower end of said tension coil is pivotally attached to a quick release latch, said quick release latch being removably attached to said side handle of said can whereby when said cover handle clamp is attached to said centralized hand grip and said quick release latch is attached to said side handle, said tension coil spring is extended over said rim portion of said cover in a tensioned state thereby securely locking said lid to said open end of said garbage can.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said garbage can has first and second side handles individually mounted on opposite sides of said can, said handles being spaced downwardly from the plane of said open end, a second tension coil spring is pivotally attached to a second cover handle clamp, the lower end of said second tension coil is pivotally attached to a second quick release latch, said cover handle clamp being removably attached to a second upstanding portion of said centralized hand grip, said second quick release latch being removably attached to said second side handle whereby when said first and second cover handle clamps are attached respectively to said first and second upsTanding portions at said centralized hand grip and said first and second quick release latch are attached respectively to said first and second side handles, said tension coil springs are extended over opposite sides of said rim portion of said cover in a tensioned state thereby securely locking said lid to said open end of said garbage can.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said quick release latch comprises an apertured finger grasping portion, said aperture arranged to receive pivotal attaching means fixedly attached to said lower end of said tension coil spring, the lower end of said quick release latch extends downwardly and upwardly in a generally U-shaped manner so as to hook under and latch onto said side handle.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said removable securing means comprise a threaded bolt and nut.
 5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said pivotal attaching means is a cotter pin.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said removable securing means comprise a cotter pin. 